WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet)

OVERVIEW

Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) is a technique for hand and wrist surgery that uses local anesthesia. This technique offers many advantages over standard procedures including no general anesthesia, better surgical outcomes and lower costs. With the appropriate operation, WALANT can be a better solution that may cost less.

DESCRIPTION

WALANT is a new type of local anesthesia for various hand and wrist surgery procedures. Until recently, certain hand and wrist surgeries were performed using a tourniquet to control blood to improve the surgeon’s visibility of the operated area. Tourniquets, however, are uncomfortable and unpleasant for patients. In the past, this discomfort was reduced by sedating patients with general anesthetics. (General anesthetics are used to cause a patient to remain unconscious during surgery.)

WALANT eliminates the need for tourniquets and general anesthesia (sedation) by using two medications administered locally for a safe, painless surgery. Lidocaine blocks pain, and epinephrine stops bleeding. Epinephrine acts as a vasoconstrictor to control bleeding, which is why the use of tourniquets can be eliminated during the procedure. While not every hand and wrist surgery can be performed with WALANT, there are many that qualify, some of which include:

• Nerve compression
• Tendon disorders or repairs
• Carpal tunnel release
• Trigger finger release
• Finger sensory block
• Soft-tissue Finger lesions
• PIP fusions
• Thumb MCP fusions
• Collateral ligament tears of the MCP joint
• Dupuytren contractures
• Flexor tendon repairs
• Trapeziectomy or Bennett fracture
• Metacarpal fractures
• Ligament repairs
• Fracture fixation
• Arthritic conditions
• Mass removal

ADVANTAGES

The patient advantages of using WALANT are:

• No cost/ time lost for preoperative testing for sedation, since there is no general sedation.
• Less expensive procedure. Since there is no general sedation, the procedure is not as costly.
• Less time at the hospital or surgery center for the procedure as there is little to no recovery time from the surgical procedure.
• If desired, patients can see and feel repaired structures working during the surgery after a loss of function, which helps motivate the patient in post-operative therapy and recovery.
• No need for a tourniquet.
• No need to fast or change medication schedules which is particularly helpful for diabetics.
• Increased safety. The elimination of general sedation increases safety. All research shows that WALANT is safe.

Overall, WALANT provides a less expensive and easier surgical experience, making it an effective choice for patients.

NEXT STEPS

Contact your Florida Orthopaedic Institute hand and wrist surgeon to find out if your surgery can be done with WALANT.